Patent Application
20190324561
The present description relates generally to touch-based input devices, and, more particularly, to styluses having color selection and display capabilities.
A variety of handheld input devices exist for detecting input from a user during use. For example, a stylus can be utilized to provide input by contacting a touch panel of an electronic device. The touch panel may include a touch sensitive surface that, in response to detecting a touch event, generates a signal that can be processed and utilized by other components of the electronic device. A display component of the electronic device may display textual and/or graphical display elements representing selectable virtual buttons or icons, and the touch sensitive surface may allow a user to navigate the content displayed on the display screen. Typically, a user can move one or more input devices, such as a stylus, across the touch panel in a pattern that the device translates into an input command.
Certain features of the subject technology are set forth in the appended claims. However, for purpose of explanation, several embodiments of the subject technology are set forth in the following figures.
The detailed description set forth below is intended as a description of various configurations of the subject technology and is not intended to represent the only configurations in which the subject technology may be practiced. The appended drawings are incorporated herein and constitute a part of the detailed description. The detailed description includes specific details for the purpose of providing a thorough understanding of the subject technology. However, it will be clear and apparent to those skilled in the art that the subject technology is not limited to the specific details set forth herein and may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well-known structures and components are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid obscuring the concepts of the subject technology.
Some electronic devices that include a display surface and/or a touch screen can be used in combination with a stylus or another touch-based input device. A user can operate a stylus with an external device, such as a tablet or computer, to create, edit, and/or erase representations that are recorded by and displayed on the external device. Such representations can include drawings, handwriting, text, and/or other markings based on operation of the stylus.
As a user operates the stylus, the representations displayed on the external device can have certain characteristics, such as color. However, the user may not know what color or other characteristic will be applied until after the representation has been displayed. Accordingly, it is desirable to provide the user with an early indication of the color that will be displayed.
According to embodiments disclosed herein, a stylus can be provided with a display that indicates to the user a color or another characteristic of the representations to be recorded and displayed on the external device. The display on the stylus can be positioned to conveniently provide an indication of color. For example, the display can be provided at or near a tip of the stylus that is used at a point of contact with the external device. The stylus can further provide an ability for the user to manually select a color, which can then be shown on the display of the stylus and transmitted to the external device for application. The stylus can further include an ability to scan a color from a physical object, with the color being shown on the display of the stylus and transmitted to the external device for application. These features provide the user with stylus-based control and feedback relating to the color selection for use by an external device.
These and other embodiments are discussed below with reference to
A touch-based input device in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein can include any device that is held, worn, or contacted by a user for receiving inputs from the user. The touch-based input device can be used alone or in conjunction with another device. For example,
The stylus 100 can support handling and operation by a user.
Components of the stylus 100 can be positioned to receive input from the user. For example, the tip 190 can be located at a terminal end of the stylus 100. The tip 190 can include or be connected to a force sensor that detects when the tip 190 is pressed against a surface, such as the interface surface of the external device. User inputs provided to the tip 190 can generate signals that are communicated to the external device 90 for performance of an action in accordance with the signal and the user input, as discussed further herein. The tip 190 can be positioned at and/or form at least a portion of the tapered end 112 of the stylus 100.
Components of the stylus 100 can display information for a user. For example, a display 140 can be provided on an external surface of the stylus 100 to display a color or other information to a user. A displayed color can correspond to a setting of the stylus 100 and/or the external device. For example, the displayed color can be a color that is to be recorded and displayed on the external device based on operation of the stylus 100.
The display 140 can be positioned at and/or form at least a portion of the tapered end 112 of the stylus 100. For example, as illustrated in
The display 140 can form at least a portion of the tapered end 112 of the stylus 100. The display 140 can have a taper that is a continuation of another taper along the tapered end 112 (e.g., along the tip 190). For example, the display 140 and the tip 190 can each define an outer surface forming the same angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of the stylus 100. The display 140 can have a shape along the tapered end 112 that is conical or frusticonical. The display 140 can extend entirely or partially circumferentially about the longitudinal axis of the stylus 100. At least a portion of the tip 190 can extend through at least a portion of the display 140, for example to connect to a force sensor or other components within the body 110 of the stylus 100. The display 140 can be a visual output element, such as a liquid crystal display screen, electronic ink (e-ink) screen, organic light emitting diode (OLED) or diodes, light emitting diode or diodes, or the like. Where the display 140 provides a curvature, such as along the tapered end 112 of the stylus 100, a flexible OLED screen can optionally be provided to conform to the desired shape.
As further illustrated in
In some embodiments, the display can include or be integrated into the tip of the stylus.
The position of the illuminable tip 190 can facilitate viewing of the selected color by the user while the stylus 100 is held and/or operated by the user. Where the tip 190 is at or near a terminal end of the stylus 100, the stylus 100 can be used with an external device in a manner that positions the tip 190 of the stylus 100 at or near the interface surface of the external device. Accordingly, the tip 190 can show the color near the location at which a representation on the external device is generated in the same color. This can produce a continuous connection between the tip 190 and the generated representation displayed on the external device. One effect of this is that the color from the tip 190 is directly applied for display on the external device, as if applied with actual paint or ink from the tip 190.
In some embodiments, a display can also be configured to facilitate user inputs for color selection.
The stylus 100 can be provided with components that facilitate the operation thereof, including use with the external device 90.
As shown in
As further shown in
According to some embodiments, the stylus 100 can include a communication component 166 for communicating with the external device 90. The communication component 166 can include one or more wired or wireless components, WiFi components, near field communication components, Bluetooth components, and/or other communication components. The communication component 166 can include one or more transmission elements, such as one or more antennas. Alternatively or in combination, the communication component 166 can include an interface for a wired connection to the external device 90.
According to some embodiments, the stylus 100 can include a power source 164, such as one or more batteries and/or power management units. The stylus 100 can include components for charging the power source 164.
According to some embodiments, the stylus 100 can include other components including, for example, orientation detectors, gyroscopes, accelerometers, biometric readers, displays, sensors, switches (e.g., dome switches), buttons, speakers, microphones, cameras, voice coils, haptic feedback devices, and/or other components.
The tip 190 of the stylus 100 can be used for virtually creating, editing, and/or erasing representations while drawing or writing on a surface. The stylus 100 can be used for drawing or writing by contacting the interface surface of the external device 90 with the tip 190 of the stylus 100. According to some embodiments, the tip 190, the color selection component 130, and/or the display 140 can detect tactile input from a user. For example, the tip 190 can be used to contact the interface surface of the external device 90. When the tip 190 contacts the interface surface, the external device 90 can record and/or display a representation at the location of contact with the tip 190. The external device 90 can detect the contact and/or receive a communication from the stylus 100 regarding usage of the tip 190.
The tip 190, the color selection component 130, and/or the display 140 of the stylus 100 can be used to change settings of the external device 90. According to some embodiments, a user can provide primary inputs via the tip 190 and secondary inputs via the color selection component 130 and/or the display 140. While the stylus 100 is used for drawing or writing, inputs provided with the tip 190 can be recorded by the external device 90 with representations, lines, or shapes having a variety of characteristics, including a selected color. When the user operates the color selection component 130 and/or the display 140 to create a signal, the external device 90 can interpret the signal as a command to apply one or more characteristics to representations generated by subsequent input from the stylus 100. Accordingly, subsequent contact between the tip 190 of the stylus 100 and the interface surface of the external device 90 can be recorded and/or displayed as representations having the one or more user-selected characteristics determined by use of the color selection component 130 and/or the display 140.
A color obtained by a scan with the color selection component 130 is used to generate signals based on the color. The signals are communicated to the display 140 for display to a user and/or to the external device 90 for performance of an action in accordance with the signal and the scanned color. For example, the display 140 can show one of more scanned colors. The color shown on the display can be shown during and/or after a scan operation of the color selection component 130. For example, the display can be dynamically updated as the color selection component 130 scans different portions of the object. The stylus 100 can also transmit the color to the external device 90. Where the external device 90 includes a display on the interface surface 50, the user can apply the scanned color to at least a portion of the interface surface 50. For example, as shown in
While portions of the above description relates to selection of color, it will be recognized that other characteristics, including other visual aspects, can be selected, displayed, and applied. For example, the selection, display, and application can relate to a brightness, opacity, shading, gradient, texture, size, proportions,
Various functions described above can be implemented in digital electronic circuitry, in computer software, firmware or hardware. The techniques can be implemented using one or more computer program products. Programmable processors and computers can be included in or packaged as mobile devices. The processes and logic flows can be performed by one or more programmable processors and by one or more programmable logic circuitry. General and special purpose computing devices and storage devices can be interconnected through communication networks.
Some implementations include electronic components, such as microprocessors, storage and memory that store computer program instructions in a machine-readable or computer-readable medium (alternatively referred to as computer-readable storage media, machine-readable media, or machine-readable storage media). Some examples of such computer-readable media include RAM, ROM, read-only compact discs (CD-ROM), recordable compact discs (CD-R), rewritable compact discs (CD-RW), read-only digital versatile discs (e.g., DVD-ROM, dual-layer DVD-ROM), a variety of recordable/rewritable DVDs (e.g., DVD-RAM, DVD-RW, DVD+RW, etc.), flash memory (e.g., SD cards, mini-SD cards, micro-SD cards, etc.), magnetic and/or solid state hard drives, ultra density optical discs, any other optical or magnetic media, and floppy disks. The computer-readable media can store a computer program that is executable by at least one processing unit and includes sets of instructions for performing various operations. Examples of computer programs or computer code include machine code, such as is produced by a compiler, and files including higher-level code that are executed by a computer, an electronic component, or a microprocessor using an interpreter.
While the above discussion primarily refers to microprocessor or multi-core processors that execute software, some implementations are performed by one or more integrated circuits, such as application specific integrated circuits (ASICs) or field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs). In some implementations, such integrated circuits execute instructions that are stored on the circuit itself.
As used in this specification and any claims of this application, the terms “computer”, “processor”, and “memory” all refer to electronic or other technological devices. These terms exclude people or groups of people. For the purposes of the specification, the terms “display” or “displaying” means displaying on an electronic device. As used in this specification and any claims of this application, the terms “computer readable medium” and “computer readable media” are entirely restricted to tangible, physical objects that store information in a form that is readable by a computer. These terms exclude any wireless signals, wired download signals, and any other ephemeral signals.
To provide for interaction with a user, implementations of the subject matter described in this specification can be implemented on a computer having a display device as described herein for displaying information to the user and a keyboard and a pointing device, such as a mouse or a trackball, by which the user can provide input to the computer. Other kinds of devices can be used to provide for interaction with a user as well; for example, feedback provided to the user can be any form of sensory feedback, such as visual feedback, auditory feedback, or tactile feedback; and input from the user can be received in any form, including acoustic, speech, or tactile input.
Many of the above-described features and applications are implemented as software processes that are specified as a set of instructions recorded on a computer readable storage medium (also referred to as computer readable medium). When these instructions are executed by one or more processing unit(s) (e.g., one or more processors, cores of processors, or other processing units), they cause the processing unit(s) to perform the actions indicated in the instructions. Examples of computer readable media include, but are not limited to, CD-ROMs, flash drives, RAM chips, hard drives, EPROMs, etc. The computer readable media does not include carrier waves and electronic signals passing wirelessly or over wired connections.
In this specification, the term “software” is meant to include firmware residing in read-only memory or applications stored in magnetic storage, which can be read into memory for processing by a processor. Also, in some implementations, multiple software aspects of the subject disclosure can be implemented as sub-parts of a larger program while remaining distinct software aspects of the subject disclosure. In some implementations, multiple software aspects can also be implemented as separate programs. Finally, any combination of separate programs that together implement a software aspect described here is within the scope of the subject disclosure. In some implementations, the software programs, when installed to operate on one or more electronic systems, define one or more specific machine implementations that execute and perform the operations of the software programs.
A computer program (also known as a program, software, software application, script, or code) can be written in any form of programming language, including compiled or interpreted languages, declarative or procedural languages, and it can be deployed in any form, including as a stand-alone program or as a module, component, subroutine, object, or other unit suitable for use in a computing environment. A computer program may, but need not, correspond to a file in a file system. A program can be stored in a portion of a file that holds other programs or data (e.g., one or more scripts stored in a markup language document), in a single file dedicated to the program in question, or in multiple coordinated files (e.g., files that store one or more modules, sub programs, or portions of code). A computer program can be deployed to be executed on one computer or on multiple computers that are located at one site or distributed across multiple sites and interconnected by a communication network.
It is understood that any specific order or hierarchy of blocks in the processes disclosed is an illustration of example approaches. Based upon design preferences, it is understood that the specific order or hierarchy of blocks in the processes may be rearranged, or that all illustrated blocks be performed. Some of the blocks may be performed simultaneously. For example, in certain circumstances, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous. Moreover, the separation of various system components in the embodiments described above should not be understood as requiring such separation in all embodiments, and it should be understood that the described program components and systems can generally be integrated together in a single software product or packaged into multiple software products.
The previous description is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the various aspects described herein. Various modifications to these aspects will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other aspects. Thus, the claims are not intended to be limited to the aspects shown herein, but are to be accorded the full scope consistent with the language claims, wherein reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless specifically so stated, but rather “one or more.” Unless specifically stated otherwise, the term “some” refers to one or more. Pronouns in the masculine (e.g., his) include the feminine and neuter gender (e.g., her and its) and vice versa. Headings and subheadings, if any, are used for convenience only and do not limit the subject disclosure.
The predicate words “configured to”, “operable to”, and “programmed to” do not imply any particular tangible or intangible modification of a subject, but, rather, are intended to be used interchangeably. For example, a processor configured to monitor and control an operation or a component may also mean the processor being programmed to monitor and control the operation or the processor being operable to monitor and control the operation. Likewise, a processor configured to execute code can be construed as a processor programmed to execute code or operable to execute code
A phrase such as an “aspect” does not imply that such aspect is essential to the subject technology or that such aspect applies to all configurations of the subject technology. A disclosure relating to an aspect may apply to all configurations, or one or more configurations. A phrase such as an aspect may refer to one or more aspects and vice versa. A phrase such as a “configuration” does not imply that such configuration is essential to the subject technology or that such configuration applies to all configurations of the subject technology. A disclosure relating to a configuration may apply to all configurations, or one or more configurations. A phrase such as a configuration may refer to one or more configurations and vice versa.
The word “example” is used herein to mean “serving as an example or illustration.” Any aspect or design described herein as “example” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects or design
All structural and functional equivalents to the elements of the various aspects described throughout this disclosure that are known or later come to be known to those of ordinary skill in the art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and are intended to be encompassed by the claims. Moreover, nothing disclosed herein is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether such disclosure is explicitly recited in the claims. No claim element is to be construed under the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112, sixth paragraph, unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase “means for” or, in the case of a method claim, the element is recited using the phrase “step for.” Furthermore, to the extent that the term “include,” “have,” or the like is used in the description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprise” as “comprise” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/662,000, entitled “STYLUS WITH DISPLAY,” filed Apr. 24, 2018, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62662000 | Apr 2018 | US |
